Serial number 376xxx dates this horn to about 1961, when the company was still Buescher and had not been sold to Selmer.
Buescher history 101
The Buescher company started making saxophones for professionals around
1900, and held a pretty good market share through the 1950s. In 1963
(after serial number 381xxx) they were bought out by Selmer (USA, not
Paris) and many Buescherphiles believe the quality either declined or
became unreliable after that.
Buescher history 102: various models
There is some controversy over the intonation of the early models
(before 1935 / serial number 260xxx or so), but little controversy of
the excellence of all the rest of the (pre 1963) Buescher horns. They
made two distinct models of professional horn after WWII: the
Aristocrat and the 400. My experience is that the Aristocrat is the one
for subtlety. Choose the 400 if you want louder, clearer, and brighter.
They don't call it a rock n roll horn for nothing.
Buescher history 103 : what kinda 400?
The 400 was first
made with a top hat and cane engraving, and that model is much sought
after and fetches the big bucks. In the late 1950s they came up with
the brilliant idea of simplifying the engraving. For awhile they took
away the sacred mystical tone ring
(that silvery ring on the outside of the bell). Then they put it back
and changed the model name to SUPER 400. That's the version you are
bidding on today.
Bottom line: it's the same thing as its high-priced cousin with the hat & cane. In addition to the sacred mystical tone ring,
note the characteristic back-mounted bell keys and underslung octave
key. Note also the low price because the engraving is somewhat
minimalist. Play like a king on a peasant budget!
Original components
This horn has the characteristic "snap in resonators" and Norton springs and brown rollers.
Pads and playability
Freshly overhauled!
The case is a brand new Winter Greenline case - - very lightweight,
very strong, good tight fit (this is the version they make for
Keilwerth, the one that accommodates the monstrous oversized bell of
the Buescher 400).
Shipping
I know how to ship em right, with neck plug and styrofoam peanuts and so forth.
Save on shipping!
Win more than one auction and pay only $1 shipping on all smaller items.
Gone2dogz auctions are international-friendly.
Ici on parle Français
Spreche - ich Deutsch? Ja!
Hablo Español, poquito.
Parlo anche un poco Italiano. Puccini! Bellini!
Outside USA, estimate the shipping cost at http://ircalc.usps.gov/ .
Make sure your country does not have restrictions on shipping.
Italy does not allow musical instruments to be mailed into the country (!?!?!)
Paypal, Check or
money order OK. Checks may delay shipment.
Items shipped outside USA will be labelled "merchandise", not
"gift" , for customs declaration, and actual sale price will be cited.
Customs fees, international taxes, VAT, and duty are the responsibility
of the buyer. International shipments are via air only.
In the public interest, I offer my
"tips on what to check before you bid".
the sacred mystical tone ring
Always make sure the bell brace doesn't have dreaded push-in syndrome:
price:
)
This seller, gone2dogz, prefers PayPal.
